(NewsNation) — A judge overseeing the trial of accused quadruple murderer Bryan Kohberger on Wednesday said he would prohibit prosecutors from using the terms “psychopath” and “sociopath” before jurors.
During a hearing to establish ground rules for the proceedings, Kohberger’s defense team asked Judge Steven Hippler to prevent the state from using inflammatory words, even the term “murderer.”
Hippler left open the possibility prosecutors could use the latter word during closing arguments.
“Make no mistake, these murders, whoever did them, were … horrific. And I expect that the evidence will reflect that,” the judge said.
Kohberger, 30, is charged in the stabbing deaths of University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin at an off-campus house during the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022.
Another question that came up this week was whether Kohberger’s family could attend the trial, as the prosecution listed them as potential witnesses.
Witnesses are usually excluded from trials until after they testify. However, the defense team said Kohberger has been “absolutely dependent” on his family after being in isolation for 2 1/2 years. They also have no desire to be witnesses, the defense added.
Hippler said he’d take the matter under advisement and will issue a ruling later.
The judge did issue a general ruling saying that the state can’t use autism as an aggravating factor or a reason he should get the death penalty.
Defense attorneys say they plan to submit evidence about Kohberger’s diagnosis of autism as a “mitigating factor” showing he should not be sentenced to death. Prosecutors said they don’t plan on using Kohberger’s autism diagnosis if he is convicted, but they also don’t want the defense to be able to chalk up anything as being related to autism.
Jury selection in the case is expected to begin July 30. The trial is slated for Aug. 11 in the Ada County Courthouse in downtown Boise.
At a previous hearing, Kohberger stood silent when asked to enter a plea, so the judge entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.